Ethan Hawke, the well-known actor, recently shared some thoughts on how Tom Cruise’s dedication to performing his own stunts has changed the movie industry.
Hawke, who was at the Sundance Film Festival promoting his new film “The Weight,” mentioned that Cruise’s commitment to high-risk stunts has made it seem like actors who rely on stunt teams are somehow less capable. This, Hawke says, has been a source of frustration for him.
In “The Weight,” Hawke plays a character in a Depression-era setting, and he performed many of his own stunts. He appreciates that the movie focuses on realistic, human challenges rather than over-the-top action sequences.
Cruise, known for his roles in “Mission: Impossible,” “Top Gun,” and “Jack Reacher,” has built a reputation for doing increasingly dangerous stunts himself. Some of these include hanging off airplanes, free-falling from helicopters, and climbing tall buildings.
Hawke’s new movie, “The Weight,” is set in 1933 Oregon. It tells the story of a widower who has to work in a tough labor camp to earn his freedom and reunite with his daughter. His character agrees to smuggle gold across dangerous terrain. Hawke said he was drawn to the story because he connected with the character’s determination to overcome obstacles for his family. He said the film is about love and the importance of family.
